Kenya is set to host the Commonwealth Edition of Kenya Innovation Week 2023, a landmark event in the innovation and development sector, scheduled to take place from 27 November to 1 December 2023 in Nairobi. This inaugural Commonwealth-themed event, titled “Innovating to Unlock Our Common Wealth,” will be held at the Edge Convention Centre. It promises to be a crucial gathering of global leaders, government officials, business and academic representatives, including a delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat led by Secretary-General the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.
President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Hon. William Ruto, has extended a warm welcome to participants, highlighting the event as a celebration of Commonwealth ingenuity and growth. He emphasised the importance of shedding light on the innovations emerging from Kenya and the broader Commonwealth, noting the potential for growth, the challenges faced, and the opportunities available for innovators.
A key highlight of Kenya Innovation Week will be the announcement of the winners of the Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards. Each winner will receive a trophy, a certificate, and prize money of £3,000, along with ongoing support for their work and the opportunity to participate in high-level forums.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, underscored the vital role of innovation in the development of the Commonwealth. She emphasised the need for investment in innovation to create a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient society, noting the significant progress and talent across Africa and the Secretariat’s commitment to accelerating this momentum.
The five-day event will include a diverse array of activities such as thematic summits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, fireside chats, workshops, and networking events, along with exhibitions from various participating organisations, groups, and countries. The event will also feature a Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Science, Technology, and Innovation, with contributions from the Commonwealth Youth Council and the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.
Additionally, the prestigious Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellowship programme is now open for applications, aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and influencing policy work in the field of cybersecurity.
Organised by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), this event is seen as a significant step in Kenya’s journey towards becoming a hub of innovation and development, not just in Africa but across the Commonwealth. KeNIA plays a vital role in coordinating, promoting, and regulating the National Innovation System and works closely with partners to strengthen interrelationships between actors to promote innovation and enterprise development.
In summary, the Kenya Innovation Week 2023 – Commonwealth Edition represents a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and collaboration within the Commonwealth, offering a platform for knowledge sharing, policy influence, and celebrating the ingenuity and talent across the member nations.
